HR Series with Solomon

HRwithSolomon
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Welcome to the HR Series with Solomon, hosted by Solomon Koilraj. As a Human Resources student at CNA and a student member of CPHR NL, I’m on a mission to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world leadership. Join us as we interview industry experts and HR Directors to explore the "human touch" behind successful organizations. From recruitment and mentorship to operational leadership in Newfoundland and Labrador, we uncover the purpose behind the people. Subscribe to grow with us.

Episodes

  1. Aug 27

    Beyond Perks: Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces with Alison Butler | HR with Solomon

    Is your workplace actually psychologically safe, or are you just offering perks and hoping for the best? In this episode of HR with Solomon, we sit down with Alison Butler, Chief Wellness Officer and owner of Allison Butler Training Inc., to tackle the shifting landscape of workplace mental health. Alison shares her personal journey as a high-achieving professional who experienced burnout firsthand, and explains why traditional, reactive wellness initiatives are no longer enough for today's workforce. Tune in as we explore actionable strategies for HR professionals, people leaders, and employees alike, breaking down what it truly takes to prioritize mind, body, and soul in the modern workplace. Key Discussion Points: What Psychological Safety Looks Like: Moving past corporate buzzwords to real-world, day-to-day behaviors (like feeling safe enough to ask questions).Spotting Burnout Early: Recognizing the subtle warning signs in high performers before they reach total exhaustion.Systemic vs. Individual Responsibility: Why organizations share the duty of burnout prevention through proper resourcing, smart hiring, and sustainable workloads.Generational Perspectives: Navigating how different age groups view and talk about mental health at work.Personal Resilience: Alison's core lesson on why leaders must prioritize their own well-being first.Website: alisonbutler.caDon't forget to follow, rate, and review the show on your favorite podcast platform for more insights on human resources, leadership, and modern workplace culture! Connect with Our Guest: contact@alisonbutler.ca Connect with "HR with Solomon: solomon.koilraj@hrwithsolomon.com

    Beyond Perks: Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces with Alison Butler | HR with Solomon

  2. Jul 30

    Career Coaching Secrets: Land Your Dream Job with Mher Mardoyan | Resume Strategy, Networking & Hidden Job Market

    Recruiters spend 6 to 7 seconds on your resume. Is it a YES or a NO? In this episode of HR with Solomon, career coach and talent strategist Mher Mardoyan breaks down the exact frameworks that have helped thousands of candidates land their dream jobs. Whether you are an international newcomer, a recent graduate, or looking to make a strategic career pivot, this conversation cuts through the noise with actionable steps to navigate the Canadian job market. Tune in as Mher shares insider recruitment secrets, why traditional job boards are only the tip of the iceberg, and how you can architect your career with intention.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Resume Reality Check: Why generic applications get rejected in seconds, and how to fix yours using accomplishment statements, numbers, and impact metrics. International Talent Positioning: How to shift your narrative from "I lack Canadian experience" to "I bring transferable skills, resilience, and global perspective." 3 Tactical Networking Steps: How to research target companies, build a Canadian-standard professional package, and map genuine relationships. Mastering the Hidden Job Market: Why 80% of jobs are filled through referrals and networking, and why treating networking like a bank account (investing first, withdrawing later) changes everything. Interview Like an Architect: How to move away from treating interviews as tests, use the STAR + Reflection framework, and back up every claim with hard metrics (time, cost, and revenue). The 4-Pillar Career Framework: How to build long-term professional resilience using Clarity, Evidence, Adaptability, and Visibility. One Piece of Career Advice: Why your career isn’t something that just happens to you; it is something you actively design. ABOUT THE GUEST: Mher Mardoyan is a career coach and talent strategist with over 12 years of experience spanning the corporate HR world and university recruitment (including Memorial University). Having screened thousands of candidates across diverse sectors and managed high-volume recruitment in British Columbia, Mher specializes in empowering international talent, newcomers, and professionals to build the career roadmaps they deserve. He is also the host of an extensive interview series featuring nearly 200 global HR leaders and professionals. RESOURCES & CONNECTIONS: Host: Solomon Koilraj | HR with Solomon YouTube Channel: HR with Solomon (Watch the full video version and extra clips!) Connect with Mher Mardoyan: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mhermardoyan Book a Discovery Call: Available directly through Mher's LinkedIn profile/booking link. Mher's YouTube Channel: Search "Mher Mardoyan" to access 193+ interviews with HR leaders and career experts. #CareerCoaching #JobSearch #ResumeAdvice #Networking #HiddenJobMarket #InterviewTips #CareerGrowth #HRCareers #InternationalTalent #Newcomers #CareerStrategy #Podcast #MherMardoyan #HRwithSolomon #ProfessionalDevelopment #CPHR

  3. Jun 25

    Neuroscience: HR's New Frontier — Masterclass with Jess Chapman

    In this Masterclass Highlights episode of HR with Solomon, host Solomon Koilraj sits down with Jess Chapman, Cultural Architect and Founder of Ethree Consulting & NeuroWorks, to unpack how neuroscience is reshaping employee engagement, talent strategy, and the future of HR. With 20+ years of leadership experience at major firms, Jess shares frameworks you can apply immediately. KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. The Four Pillars of Employee EngagementFour questions every employee should answer with a resounding "yes": Do you know why you are here?Do you feel like you fit in?Do you have what you need to succeed?Do you know how you are doing?2. Systemic Burnout vs. Self-CareOver 50% of North Americans report daily stress. Jess explains why burnout is a system design issue, not a personal failing, and how NeuroWorks is exploring cognitive and emotional load in the workplace. 3. Talent Strategy as a Business DriverTalent acquisition isn't a checklist. Jess explains why HR professionals must act as strategic influencers and consultants, not just technical process operators. 4. The Neuroscience FrontierFrom MRI-driven brain research to real-time engagement tools like Dr. Paul Zach's Immersion app, discover how brain science is becoming essential HR knowledge, plus why remote teams lose critical non-verbal communication and what to do about it. ADVICE FOR EMERGING HR PROFESSIONALS: Jess shares 4 golden nuggets for new HR grads, from understanding the full HR picture to getting comfortable with numbers ("HR is the limbs of the organization, but money is the blood"). 🔗 Connect with Jess Chapman: Ethree.ca | NeuroWorks.ca | Wired to Work Podcast 🎧 New episodes of HR with Solomon drop regularly. Subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #HRPodcast #Neuroscience #EmployeeEngagement #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #HRCareer

  4. May 29

    HR with Solomon | The $Million Leadership Mistake | ft. Tanya Davis

    Assumption is the silent killer of organizational growth In this HR session with Solomon, we sit down with Tanya Davis, CEO of PELMO International and a world-renowned expert in cross-cultural communication. With over 25 years of experience training professionals in 50+ countries, Tanya reveals why the most expensive mistakes in business aren’t technical; they’re communication gaps. In this episode, we explore: The "Silence" Trap: Why assuming agreement costs companies millions in rework. Leadership Can't Be Automated: Why human intelligence and emotional detection are the ultimate competitive advantages in the age of AI. The Day 1 Blueprint: Practical questions every fresh graduate should ask to hit the "bullseye" on their first day of work. Retention Secrets: How to build a culture where international talent doesn’t just arrive, they belong. Connect with Tanya Davis: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tanya-davis2025/ PELMO International: pelmo-intl.com Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Leadership-Cannot-Automated-Accountability-Conversations-ebook/dp/B0GD9152XX Connect with Solomon: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/solomon-koilraj/ If you enjoyed this masterclass, please subscribe and leave a review!

    HR with Solomon | The $Million Leadership Mistake | ft. Tanya Davis

  5. Apr 17

    Moving HR from the Corner Desk to the Strategic Spotlight (ft. Laura Cashin)

    Stop fighting fires and start building blueprints. In our debut episode, CEO Laura Cashin reveals the exact systems needed to scale a business from 4 to 400 people without losing its soul. Are you stuck in "Reactive Chaos"? In this masterclass, Solomon Koilraj sits down with Laura Cashin, CEO and Owner of Blueprint Human Resources, to discuss the transformation of the HR profession. With 18 years of global experience, Laura breaks down the "Infrastructure of People" and how to stop treating HR as an administrative burden. In this episode, we dive into: The Rule of 5: A simple productivity hack to reclaim 20+ hours of your year. The 50-Employee Breaking Point: Why organic culture fails at scale and what to do before it breaks. Fractional Leadership: How small to mid-sized businesses can access senior HR strategy on a budget. Truth & Reconciliation: Moving beyond policy to authentic, embedded action in the workplace. The Corner Desk Syndrome: Advice for new HR graduates on navigating the gap between textbooks and reality. Whether you are an HR student at CNA, a business owner in St. John's, or a global people leader, this episode provides the structural blueprint you need to move the needle. Connect with our Guest: Website: www.blueprinthr.ca LinkedIn: Laura Cashin Follow the Journey: YouTube: @HRwithSolomon LinkedIn: Solomon Koilraj #HRwithSolomon #StrategicHR #BlueprintHR #NewfoundlandBusiness #Podcast #LeadershipDevelopment #ScalingSuccess

    Moving HR from the Corner Desk to the Strategic Spotlight (ft. Laura Cashin)

  6. Mar 20

    What Recruiters Actually See on Your Resume | Tessa Whelan (CoLab Software)

    The "Black Hole" of job applications ends here. In this episode of HR with Solomon, we sit down with Tessa Whelan, Talent Manager at CoLab Software, to pull back the curtain on the recruitment process. If you’ve ever wondered why some resumes get a callback in minutes while others are never seen, this conversation is for you. Tessa reveals the "Recruiter’s Lens," the specific, high-speed process experts use to scan talent. We move beyond the basic advice to discuss the "Grit" factor, why your retail or healthcare background is a goldmine for tech companies, and how to build a resume that tells a story of success. What we cover in this episode: The 6-Second Scan: What Tessa's eyes hit first on your PDF. Transferable Skills: How to frame "non-tech" experience for a tech role. Culture Add vs. Culture Fit: Why being "different" is your competitive advantage. The CoLab Standard: What it’s like to hire for one of Canada’s fastest-growing startups. About the Guest:Tessa Whelan is a seasoned Talent Manager with a passion for human-centric recruitment. From her roots in Newfoundland to her experience scaling teams at CoLab Software, she has become a leading voice in the NL HR community for her transparent and "grit-first" approach to hiring. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessawhelan/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRwithsolomon

  7. Feb 20

    The Matchmaker of HR: From Co-op Student to Director | Janessa Cole

    How do you go from a student work term to the Director of Operations for a leading HR firm? In this episode, Solomon sits down with Janessa Cole, CPHR, to explore her "Matchmaker" philosophy on recruitment and her journey through the industrial and consulting sectors of Newfoundland. What we discuss in this episode: The Path to Leadership: Navigating three co-op terms to secure a full-time role and eventually lead operations. Recruitment as Matchmaking: Why Janessa believes finding the right talent is about more than just filling a seat—it's about changing lives. The 2026 Labor Market: Insights into the current hiring climate across Canada and the Island. Advice for Introverts: Janessa shares her personal experience on how to step outside your comfort zone and find confidence. The Power of Positivity: Why your mindset is the biggest factor in overcoming career setbacks and layoffs. Connect with Janessa:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janessacole/ Company: HR Project Partners INC Follow HR with Solomon: Building workplaces where people thrive. Subscribe for more interviews with the leaders shaping the future of HR.

    The Matchmaker of HR: From Co-op Student to Director | Janessa Cole

  8. Jan 29

    The Secret to Career Success in HR | Rebecca Cook (Director of HR, Avalon Holographics)

    Does professional success happen by accident, or is it built through connection? In this episode of the HR Series with Solomon, I sit down with Rebecca Cook, Director of HR at Avalon Holographics, to explore the transformative power of mentorship and the evolving landscape of Human Resources. Success is rarely a solo journey. Rebecca shares her insights on why having a mentor who provides honest feedback is the ultimate catalyst for career growth. We also dive into how HR professionals can remain proactive by embracing AI integration and staying adaptable in an ever-changing workforce. Whether you are a student, an emerging professional, or a seasoned leader, this conversation offers practical wisdom for building a career centered on People, Purpose, and Growth. In this episode, we discuss: The Power of Mentorship: How to find guidance that moves the needle. Workplace Impact: Turning high-level strategy into real-world leadership. The Future of HR: Staying ahead through adaptability and AI. The Human Touch: Why empathy remains our greatest professional tool. About the Guest: Rebecca Cook is a seasoned HR leader in Newfoundland and Labrador, currently serving as the Director of HR for Avalon Holographics. She is a champion for professional development and a strong believer in the impact of strong mentorship. You can listen to us on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-secret-to-career-success-in-hr-rebecca-cook/id1872127553?i=1000747120404 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/162YwZpGk3GKMByP7fRtz3?si=bomd07AdRr6QggNfb5jJqw Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/70a173ca-daaf-45f0-9c08-e9e5b00fee69/episodes/1997e380-b7a9-4e50-a4bc-91e7adee1610/the-secret-to-career-success-in-hr-rebecca-cook-director-of-hr-avalon-holographics Connect with the Series:📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRwithsolomon 🔗 Connect with Solomon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solomon-koilraj/ #Human Resources #Mentorship#Leadership#Career Advice#Newfoundland Business#HR Series.

    The Secret to Career Success in HR | Rebecca Cook (Director of HR, Avalon Holographics)

  9. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    The Secret to Career Success in HR with Rebecca Cook

    What is the real secret to rising through the ranks inHuman Resources? In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Cook, Director of HR at Avalon Holographics, to discuss the one thing that transformed her Career: the power of Mentorship. What we discuss    1. Why is honest feedback more valuable than formal training? 2. How to find and approach a mentor you respect.3. Strategic tips for HR students navigating their first roles. Guest Bio: Rebecca Cook is a seasoned HR leader witha passion for developing talent and building inclusive workplace cultures in NL. Watch out on full video soon on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HRwithsolomon Connect with Solomon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solomon-koilraj/

    The Secret to Career Success in HR with Rebecca Cook

Trailer

About

Welcome to the HR Series with Solomon, hosted by Solomon Koilraj. As a Human Resources student at CNA and a student member of CPHR NL, I’m on a mission to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world leadership. Join us as we interview industry experts and HR Directors to explore the "human touch" behind successful organizations. From recruitment and mentorship to operational leadership in Newfoundland and Labrador, we uncover the purpose behind the people. Subscribe to grow with us.

Information

  • Creator
    HRwithSolomon
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © HRwithSolomon
  • Show Website
    HR Series with Solomon